The End is Not Quite in Sight, But Close

by Race Committee, July 15th, 2014

As of 5:00 pm Maui Time, Peter Salusbury’s Riptide 35 Longboard and John Kerrigan’s Ker 46 New Haven are keeping close tabs on each as they approach Maui and the Finish at Kaanapali Shores. With 476 miles to go, Longboard has a 52 mile lead and is setting up for the final gybe and run into Pailolo Channel, probably early on Friday morning. But she owes New Haven handicap time and it is a neck and neck battle for the overall winner and winner of Class 1.

In Class 2, John Leitzinger’s Kahuna is currently in the lead with about 800 miles to go. Kahuna has a 53 mile lead over second place String Theory skippered by John Mortimer. But on corrected time, Kahuna is only currently in 4th as she owes time to the other 4 boats. String Theory leads on corrected time by 11 hours. Tom Buus’ Family Affair and David Sutcliffe’s Kinetic are wedged in between. But String Theory is a different situation than the other 3 – Kinetic, Family Affair and Kahuna have their huge spinnakers up and are making speed, while String Theory and Alegria are approaching from further west and is sailing with their jibs or reaching sails. If Kahuna and the boats close behind get to the stronger winds nearer Maui quicker, it is game over.

In Class 3, it is a similar sitation. Travis McGregor’s Turnagain, Warren Hale’s Turicum and Pete Shainin’s Passepartout sailing close together with String Theory on the west. Pieter Smits’ Avalon and Alan Slater’s Bedlam II are following behind Kahuna and the others making speed with their spinnakers up. Turnagain is closest to Maui with about 795 miles to go and a 280 mile lead. But the “predicter” indicates that Avalon and Bedlam will be able to catch Turnagain on corrected time. But lots of stuff can and will happen over the next few days and all bets are off. 

Brad Baker, multiple winning navigator of Vic-Maui races again provides his insight on Vic-Maui 2014 for Northwest Yachting. See what Brad has to say at http://www.nwyachting.com/2014/07/more-exciting-than-the-world-cup-baker-checks-in-on-vic-maui/

View All Articles